Fiji to Begin Tilapia Farming Venture

FIJI - The Fiji government has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the adoption of tilapia fish farming in Fiji between the Department of Fisheries and the University of Adelaide.

The MoU provides a framework for the conduct of a study to assess the adoption and dis-adoption pattern of Tilapia farming through the identification of drivers and impediments to successful and sustained adoption.

It is also aimed at linking the roles of policies and programmes in the adoption process and ensuring proper documentation of key success indicators in the area of tilapia farming.

Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests, Colonel Inia Seruiratu.

The Minister said that tilapia is one of the most widely farmed fish in the world and was introduced into Fiji in the 1960's.

He said that its versatility and hardiness make it well-suited for production by small household farms, and adoption of tilapia aquaculture has been prioritized in Fiji.

The Minister said that to encourage adoption of tilapia fish farming, the Fijian Government, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and other organizations have provided households with assistance in making investments to construct ponds, providing fingerling inputs for production, and technical research to support farm and industry development.

The Minister said the survey under the MoU is to understand the adoption and dis-adoption behaviour of tilapia aquaculture households.